The ruckus over Bt Brinjal

The governments of eight states that between them produce most of the brinjal in the country -- West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh -- have stated they will not allow introduction of Bt Brinjal.

Opponents to the introduction of the genetically modified food crop are principally worried on two counts -- one, what happens if there is accidental cross-pollination between Bt and ordinary brinjal? Will the modified gene get into the normal brinjal? What will the consequences be?

Two, what are the long-term effects of Bt Brinjal on human health, given that long-term trials have not been held ? The product is too new for that.

Image: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh interacts with protesters holding placards as he arrives to attend a consultation on Bt brinjal or genetically modified (GM) egg plant crop in Ahmadabad on January 19, 2010.